The taxonomic treatment given here for the Cardoon (treated here as Cynara cardunculus) and the Globe Artichoke (treated here as Cynara scolymus) is not universally accepted. The two species are very closely related and, like the Cardoon, the Globe Artichoke almost certainly arose from the wild form of Cynara cardunculus in cultivation. Many modern treatments unite the two into the single species Cynara cardunculus, which is itself treated as comprising three subspecies (both the Globe Artichoke and the Cardoon are treated as Cynara cardunculus subsp. cardunculus). The subspecies Cynara cardunculus flavescens Wiklung comprises the wild forms of the species and has become a noxious weed in some areas[].

Common Name: Globe Artichoke

General Information

Cynara scolymus is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial plant growing from a deep taproot; it can grow up to 2 metres tall[].
The plant is sometimes cultivated for its edible and medicinal uses. It is also grown as an ornamental, where it is especially valued for the architectural effect of its leaves and flowers[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Not known in the wild, it probably arose from a form of Cynara cardunculus

Habitat

Not known in the wild.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Bees, Lepidoptera
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Cynara scolymus is cold hardy to around -10°c, perhaps lower. Plants succeed in cool temperate climates though they may need the protection of a good mulch in cold winters[]. Wet winters are far more likely to cause problems than cold ones[, ].
Prefers a light warm soil and an open position in full sun[, , , ]. Requires plenty of moisture in the growing season and a good rich soil[]. Prefers a sheltered position[] but plants are reasonably wind resistant[]. Plants are tolerant of saline conditions[].
The globe artichoke is often cultivated in the garden and sometimes commercially for its edible flower buds, there are some named varieties[, ]. It is best to renew the plants by division of the suckers every 3 years but they do live for a number of years[].
The plant has recently been reclassified (1999) as not having specific status but being part of C. cardunculus. However, since it is distinct enough from the gardener's viewpoint (having a much larger seedhead) we have decided to leave it with its own entry for the time being[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].

Edible Uses

Flower buds - raw or cooked[, , , , , , ]. Used before the flowers open[]. The flavour is mild and pleasant[]. Gobe artichokes are considered to be a gourmet food but they are very fiddly to eat. The buds are harvested just before the flowers open, they are then usually boiled before being eaten. Only the base of each bract is eaten, plus the 'heart' or base that the petals grow from []. Small, or baby artichokes, that are produced on lateral stems can be pickled or used in soups and stews[]. Plants yield about 5 to 6 main heads per year from their second year onwards[].
Flowering stems - peeled and eaten raw or cooked. A sweet nutty flavour[].
Young leaf stems - a celery substitute[]. They are normally blanched to remove the bitterness and then boiled or eaten raw[]. We find them too bitter to be enjoyable[].
Leaves - cooked. A bitter flavour[, ].
The dried flowers are a rennet substitute, used for curdling plant milks[, ].

Medicinal

The globe artichoke has become important as a medicinal herb in recent years following the discovery of cynarin. This bitter-tasting compound, which is found in the leaves, improves liver and gall bladder function, stimulates the secretion of digestive juices, especially bile, and lowers blood cholesterol levels[, ].

The leaves are anticholesterolemic, antirheumatic, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic, hypoglycaemic and lithontripic[, , ]. They are used internally in the treatment of chronic liver and gall bladder diseases, jaundice, hepatitis, arteriosclerosis and the early stages of late-onset diabetes[, ].
The leaves are best harvested just before the plant flowers, and can be used fresh or dried[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The flowering plant is a magnet for bees[].

Other Uses

A dark grey dye is obtained from the leaves[].

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. Germination is usually quick and good, prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions during the summer. It would be prudent to give the plants some winter protection in their first year.
The seed can also be sown in situ in mid spring. Sow the seed 2cm deep, putting 2 or 3 seeds at each point that you want a plant[]. Protect the seed from mice[].
Division of suckers. This is best done in late autumn and the suckers overwintered in a cold frame then planted out in mid spring. Division can also be carried out in early to mid spring with the divisions being planted out straight into their permanent positions, though the plants will be smaller in their first year.